Sex-Positive Professional Group

Attention all current and aspiring Sex-Positive Professionals!  Are you looking for quality mentorship within a community of fellow SPPs and sex-positive experts?  The Sex-Positive Professional Group, facilitated by Dr. Ruthie and Sarah Sloane, is now accepting applications from those of you who are interested in:

- Launching your sex-positive practice or building it to the next level

- Receiving the highest quality mentorship from nationally known sex-positive experts and support professionals

- Consulting and conversing with a vibrant group of inspiring, active, budding and building SPPs just like you

- Solidifying your professional practices so that your business works for you instead of against you

- Increasing your earning potential while decreasing your busy work and whipping your chaotic schedule into shape

- Learning to work with new client populations and marketing to them more successfully

- Developing a name for yourself in the sex-positive community through writing, presenting, and outreach

Successful sex-positive professionals come from many academic and professional backgrounds, but we all have one thing in common: the need for sex-positive community and support from like-minded professionals.  Some of us are fortunate enough to live in an area where we have access to others who share our interests, dedication and politics.  For most of us, however, such opportunities are difficult to find outside of major professional conferences and trainings.

Dr. Ruthie and Sarah Sloane are dedicated to fostering community and support for sex-positive professionals!  The Sex-Positive Professional Group is designed for current and aspiring:

 

• Sexuality educators
• Public health professionals who focus on sex and/or gender
• Sex and relationship coaches or consultants
• Home party sex toy salespeople
• Outreach and advocacy professionals dedicated to sex and/or gender-related issues
• Authors, sex-bloggers, artists and other media professionals with a focus on sex and/or gender
• Sex workers who focus on well-being, healing and skills-building

This monthly group is available regardless of your location and schedule, in order to make it accessible to all current and aspiring members of our field.

Members of the Sex-Positive Professional Group Receive the Following Benefits Every Month:

• 90 minute specialized tele-class, designed and facilitated by Dr. Ruthie, on topics ranging from business skills to life balance to client populations and more.  Join live to interact with Dr. Ruthie and your fellow group members, listen to class recording, or both! Members also receive access to past class recordings – an incredible educational value.
• A private, personalized 30 minute monthly phone consultation with Sarah Sloane to make sure that you receive the direct support and information that you need to make prompt progress on your professional and personal goals. Members also receive a special rate on additional private coaching.
• A full hour of phone-based open Office Hours every month, facilitated by Sarah Sloane.  Consult with Sarah and your fellow members each month on whatever topics are most relevant to you as an SPP.
• Members-only email group and online community to build your professional circles and collaborate.  Converse, collaborate, share ideas, seek feedback and find supportive community here 24/7.  This group is often visited by Resident Experts, who share their expertise through the online discussion group.  The amazing Marcia Baczynski is our current Resident Expert!
• Access to private LIVE interviews with top sex-positive experts and the diverse para-professionals that make it possible for us to succeed, all while promoting your practice and projects through Dr. Ruthie’s podcast with FearlessPress.  Previous interviewees have included Charlie Glickman, Stella Orange, Marcia Baczynski, AAG and more!

Enrollment in our group is done on a rolling basis, meaning that there is no end date and members may join at any time, as long the group is not full.  There are currently a small number of open spots for the group, and each requires an interview with Dr. Ruthie to ensure fit and group cohesion.  In order to build group community, all members are asked to make a four month commitment to the group.

The membership fee is $150 per month and includes all of the benefits listed above (a portion of which is donated to Scarleteen), and limited sliding scale memberships are available for those in financial need.  Yes, as a part of Dr. Ruthie and Sarah Sloane’s commitment to sex-positive community and membership, this group is priced at the rate of a typical single coaching session.  Group size is tightly capped, so it important that you contact Dr. Ruthie immediately to inquire about availability.

The membership fee is scheduled to increase in Summer/Fall of 2011, but established members will lock in a lower membership price with the same monthly benefits.

Spots are now open and interest is strong; now is the time to join!

Contact Dr. Ruthie to enquire about availability.

Is this group brand new?

After nearly two years of planning, the group launched in early 2011 with five core members and continues to grow.  This is not the first group that Dr. Ruthie has run (live or by phone), but it is certainly one of the most vibrant and community-focused!  The group has been going strong and is expanding with new benefits and the amazing Sarah Sloane, giving members access to two well-known and highly successful sex-positive professionals.

What kinds of topics does the monthly group call cover?

Each call begins with a brief relaxation and grounding activity to help all members be fully present for the call.  It is followed by a member check-in and then a section of original curriculum designed by Dr. Ruthie or her guest presenter.  Topics are chosen 2 to 3 months in advance to ensure that they are relevant to the group at that time and include topics such as:

• Defining sex-positivity and using it to build professional vision and mission statements
• Establishing professional presence through writing, online and off
• Communicating value: pricing yourself fairly, contracts, and professional expectations
• Reducing professional and personal isolation as sex-positive professionals
• Sex & disability, working with survivors of violence, gender diversity, and more

What will the group curriculum and office hours calls be like?

Each call lasts one hour and begins at 7pm, Eastern time.  After that hour, Dr. Ruthie remains on the line for an additional 30 minutes for those who wish to stay for open group consultation and discussion.  After a welcome and check-in with all of the members on the line, there is about 30 – 45 minutes of educational content on the month’s topic with ample time for Q&A and group discussion.  Either Dr. Ruthie presents or she facilitates a discussion with a scheduled guest expert, or both! After that, there is plenty of time for group consultation and feedback time.  During this time, pre-chosen members bring a topic or goal to the table for feedback from the presenter as well as the group.  Interested members are encouraged to request a spot in advance, usually by sending an email to Dr. Ruthie or bringing it up during their private consultation meeting the month prior.  This format has worked very well for Dr. Ruthie’s groups over the years, although there is always room for flexibility.

Office Hours are facilitated by Sarah Sloane, and are open to any members who wish to join each week.  In fact, every member can have both a private 30 minute consultation and join Office Hours, or choose one, or skip both without a change in fees.  Simply call in and bring your questions and projects for feedback from Sarah and the group, or join to help inspire your fellow members.  Topics are based completely around the needs that you bring to the call, making each Office Hours completely personalized and different!

Will group members be able to present problems or questions for the group to tackle during facilitated conversations?

Absolutely!  There is a special time for this during every group call, as well as the opportunity to brainstorm and collaborate through the online group/listserv.  Each month I ask for questions for the next presenter, either related to that call’s topic or to anything else that members would like to ask the presenter.  Members may also ask for one-on-one feedback during our private consultations or through email.

Will you give homework?

Some people look forward to homework and others prefer ideas to think about without structured assignments.  Although this group contains original curricula every month, Dr. Ruthie and Sarah Sloane leave it up to each member to determine whether they would benefit from homework.  There are optional personal and professional development activities that members can share on the listserv, review during their private consultations, or just process privately.

My schedule is crazy and I don’t live anywhere near Washington, DC.  Can I still participate in this program?

Yes! Every group call will be recorded, so you can listen later.  If you have submitted a question in advance, it can still be discussed by the group, so you’ll still get feedback during group calls.  You will also have access to the e-group/listserv for asynchronous conversation with your fellow members and Dr. Ruthie.  Private consultations typically take place during regular work hours, but Sarah Sloane can often make special arrangements with you if you schedule requires it.  Both group and private calls take place by phone, to make it easy to join from anywhere.  Your private consultation can also be done by Skype, if this is a better fit for your needs.

What will the private consultations be like?

Each month Sarah Sloane asks every member to submit a brief update by email, prior to the private consultation appointment.  That way she is up to speed on your progress and needs.  When the call begins, you and Sarah will dive right into your goals, processing life and professional events or other topics that you feel to be the most useful.  Members with a special professional focus might also want to use this time to supplement the monthly group call with content and conversation on developing their specialization.  Private consultations are usually held over the phone, but Skype is an option if the video and screen-sharing aspects would be more useful.

What kind of limits do you place on how often group members contact you by email between calls? Are emailed questions or discussions charged any additional fees?

Folks are always welcomed to drop Dr. Ruthie and Sarah Sloane a line by email, phone or Twitter.  They both enjoy checking in with clients and peers, and it’s important to have that availability to keep the progress rolling.  Plus, they like to be there to cheer you on as you experience important successes!  If a member’s individual question needs more than a short response (5-10 minutes), then they may suggest bringing it to the listserv, monthly group call or a private consultation.  Additional private consultations are available to members at a reduced cost; some members request them and others do not.  There is no obligation or pressure, either way.

Why is there a fee for this group?  I’m not sure if I can afford it right now.

Dr. Ruthie  and Sarah Sloane often meet casually to exchange mentorship and conversation with other educators.  However, this program is very different from a light chat!  It contains substantial original curricula, expert consultations, group Office Hours,private mentorship, opportunities to converse with top experts and an e-group for community building and collaboration.  This is a structured, interdisciplinary mentorship program created and facilitated by an experienced university educator who also happens to be a sex-positive professional and a highly experienced author and sex & business coach.  At the same time, the fees for this group are substantially lower than Dr. Ruthie’s other programs and the same price as a single private consultation each month.  This reduced price, along with a sliding scale for those in severe financial strain, is offered to make it as inclusive as possible while maintaining a high-quality program.

What are Dr. Ruthie and Sarah Sloane’s credentials?

You are invited to browse Dr. Ruthie’s credentials and media samples, as well as her blog.  She holds a Ph.D. with two doctoral certificates and a masters degree in dual programs. She has presented dozens of professional lectures and workshops in the USA, Canada, Mexico and Europe, in addition to her live and online university courses.  She is published in academic journals, including the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy and The Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality.  Her first mainstream book, The Nice Girl’s Guide to Talking Dirty, was published in June of 2011.  She has worked as a sexuality educator offering group and private services for 7 years and is a member of AASECT, AAMFT, SSSS, ISSWSH and AAFCS.  Dr. Ruthie has been teaching adults online (through webcam and electronic classrooms) through an accredited university every semester since the summer of 2008, and oversees several doctoral students who are working on their dissertations.  Her blog has been active for nearly 3 years.  She also maintains a specialization in survivors of family and intimate partner violence through professional outreach and original, qualitative research.  That said, she is also bringing in some other mighty fine folks to make sure every member gets a strong, well-rounded experience in this group!

Sarah Sloane is a sexuality & relationship educator from the Washington DC metro area. She has taught literally hundreds of classes for Sex-Positive, BDSM, and Relationship-oriented organizations and events throughout the US, Canada, and overseas for over 10 years; she also works with individuals & small groups to learn skills and techniques to enhance their lives. Additionally, she is a popular guest on numerous podcasts and internet radio shows, and delights in speaking her mind and creating dialogue with listeners across the globe. Sarah also delights in working with sex industry wholesalers and retailers to create education programs that serve their communities and empower their staff to act as sex-positive educators & resources to their customers. In addition to her busy education schedule, Sarah is the owner of Equilibrium Consulting, LLC, which offers services to help people find better balance in their personal & work lives; she and her staff offer personal assistance, media & communications consulting, writing, and business & personal coaching from a humanistic, sex & relationship positive perspective.  Sarah writes a monthly column, “Dear Sarah”, at Fearless Press, blogs for MyPleasure, and has written prolifically for the online SexIs Magazine, as well acted as the Contributing Editor of Tristan Taormino’s newsletter, The Double T. Her writing was recently included in Lee Harrington’s book, Rope, Bondage and Power, and she is also currently working on two upcoming books.  She has been honored as a nominee for the Pantheon of Leather’s Woman of the Year award for 2009, is the 1st Runner Up for International Ms Leather 2009, and is a past nominee for the Vaughan Keith National Educator award from Black Rose.